Folding chair



L. H. BURLIN FOLDING CHAIR `May 30, 1944.A

Filed June 5, 1942 2 sheets-sheet 1 May 30, 1944.

l.. H. BURLIN FGLDING CII'IAIR Filed June 5. 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 z 50 2 Zijn/@fi51- Patented May 30, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLDING CHAIR Les-lie n. Berlin, valparaiso, 1nd.

Application June 5, 1942, seria1N0.445,s99

1s claims. (421.155-148) This invention relates to chairs in general `and more particularly to folding chairs.`

` `It is one of the objects of the present inventionA to provide a folding type chair which is sturdy.

ofconstruction, light in weight, and which may be easily and quickly folded and unfolded. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a folding chair of the above mentioned character which when folded is exceedingly compact.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a folding chair of the above mentioned character which when `folded is not only compact but also presents perfectlyilat sides so that a large number of such chairs can be stacked one against another with a minimum amount ofV waste space, and which may beI piled one-upon the other and still remain level. It is another object of the present invention to provide a folding chair of the above mentioned character which can be stood up `while folded and will remainfin an upright position. It is another object of the present invention to provide a chair of the above mentioned character which when folded has a handle for facilitating carrying of the chair and when carried in its partially folded condition naturallytends to assume its fully folded position. Thus when the'folded chair is carried from one place'to another there is-no possible tendency for the chair to unfold.` Another object of the present invention is to provide a folding chair which does not require any latches or other holding devices for holdingthe chair in its folded position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a folding chair which, though rigid in construction, requires no metal parts.`

The attainment of the above and vfurtherobjects of the present invention will be apparent from the following specification taken incon-V junction with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof. l

In the drawings: l

Figure 1 is a central longitudinal sectional View of a folding chair embodying the present invention, said view being taken along the line I--I of Figure 2; l

l Figure 2 is a front view of the chair ure 1;

Figure 3 is a view taken along theline l3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view taken along the line 4 4 of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a view of the back of the chair of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is'a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 6 6 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a side View of the chair in its folded position, said view being taken along the line I-l of Figure 8;

Figure 8 is an `end view of the folded and Figure 9 is a fragmentary side view of the folded chair, said view being taken from the opposite side of that of Figure '7.

Reference may now be had more particularly to the drawings. The chair of the present in-v vention is made entirely of wood, preferably plywood, which consists of thin layers or lamnae overlaying one another and with the grainV of the wood of the adjacent layers extending in different directions, as is Well kn'own in the art. the layers being adhered together to make a solid laminated board. The chair consists of a vflat* seat I, a back 2, a front leg 3, a back leg f4, fittings for hinging these four members together, and suitable latches 5 and 6 forholding the chaii" unfolded. The seat I is a flat board notchedat the back to receive a pair of similar brackets' 8-9 each of which is secured to the seat by a pair of wooden: dowel pins III-I0, each 4pair of which holds a bracket. The brackets v8-'-9A are therefore, rigid with respect to the seat. The' back portion Zishinged to the bracketsV-'S'by dowel pins I2-I3. The dowel pins' I2-I3` are: axially aligned. Each pin fits snugly ina hole I4of the back and is journalled in one of the brackets 8--9. 4

The back 2 consists of one continuous board having a cut-out portion I6 leaving twoend portions I'I-I8 and a top portion I9. Thetop portion vI9 also has a slot 20 cut therein to form a handle 2| to facilitate carrying of the unfolded chair. Each of the end portions I'l-IB has a lower portion 23 that bears against the rear edge of the seat I whenthe chair is in its unfolded position and thus limits the amount of backward pivotal movement of the back about the dowel pins I 2I3 as a center. The back 2| is thus in its extremeraised position, as illustrated in Figure 1, and is free to tilt downwardly in a clockwise direction from that illustrated in Figure 1 to its folded position, a manner to be V`set forth more fully as this description proceeds. n l The back leg vIl is pivoted to each of the two brackets 8 and y9 by pivot dowel pins 25-25 that are inaxial alignment and extend 'into and t Asnugly in dowel holes in the back leg 4 and pivot in the brackets 8-9 respectively. The

chair back leg 4 has-projections 26-26 at its upper end which bear against the lower back edge of the seat I when the leg 4 is in its unfolded position, as illustrated in Figures l, 2 and` 5, thus limiting the amount of backward tilting of the back leg Il with respect to the seat I. The back leg also has a cut-out portion 28 located centrally thereof at the upper portion, as may be seen in Figures 1 and 5. This cut-out portion forms shoulders 29- 29 for, receiving-.the lower end of the latch 5. For this" purpose the lower end of the latch is cut at two edges 3I-3I at right angles to one another, as may be seen in Figure- 1. It is thus apparent that when the latch 5 is in the position illustrated in Figure 1 it holds the back leg 4 against forward tilting. 'Ihecut-v out portion 28 is narrow adjacent the shoulders 2S and then continues as an additionalpcut-outv portion 30 continuous with the cut-out. portion 23. This forms a pocket for receiving the latch 5 .when the chair is folded,V as will be explained more fully as this description proceeds` The outerend of the latch 5 is made: quite wide, as may be seen'from Figure 5, to bear aganstthe shoulders 29-29, and the portion of the latch 5 adjacent its pivot is narrower to permitit tov pass through-the space between the shoulders 29-29 whenthe chair is folded.

The front leg V3 of= the'chair is `-secured tothe seat I by tvvo similar brackets 33'-33, illustrated more fully in 'Figurefd Each bracket 33 extends into a slot 34 inthe seat and ispvotedv in that slot toswing about a pivot pin 36. Each bracket 33 then extendsinto a slot in the front leg 3 and is secured to the front leg by a pair of dowel pins 31e-31.1 The Vfront leg:3 has a cut-away-portion 38 at the top center thereofl for receiving the latch E.' To facilitate the latching action 'the bottom of the cut-out portion 38is provided'with shoulders 334-39 yat right angles to one? another for receiving the latchl. The bottom of the leg finas a. slotd formed therein to-constitute'the portion. 4i at thebase of the -leg .3 adjacent the slot 4l) afhandlefor carryingy the-chair when'the chair is in its folded position. The width of the handle portion-4I at its ba-se; as indicated at 42, is less thanthe width vof thev top of the cut-cut portion I5 lof the back to'permit' the lower end of the front legl to -swing through the cut-out portion I5 inarmanner tobe described morefully as this description proceeds.V

l The latch is mounted on theseat I by kmeans of a hinge made of wood and having a circular base that.fits'snugly` and isrglued in aA-hole in the bottom surface of the `seat I andl extends `approXimately half -way through the seat; A tongue Gis integral Withand extends fromthe base .45. The-latch, 5 is bifurcated `at itsend, as'indicated at `48--49L Vand 4tightly embraces the tongue 46 andis vpinned thereto.v by a dowel pin `4l. The tongue 45 is of. very slightly greater widththan the distance between-the tines 48--49 which are thus slightly spread apart ,by` the tongue and thereby exert a pressure against the tongue which tendsto holdlthe latch 5 to; any position towhich it isphysically moved.` Thevlatch 6 is similarly mountedonfthebase I. y

An explanationV willrnow =beilgiven:of the lfinan? ner of foldinglthe chairof Figurel, for which reference may be had to Figures 1 and 8. Firstfthe latch 6- iswreleased by movingit upwardly, from the position illustrated in 4,Figure `1. Theleg 3 isfthenwfolded ,aboutthe pin 33 asja centeruntil t'henleglpasses. forward ,ofthe seat l I and VVVthen folds over theseat. Injthis movement the por- 75.l

" the folded structure.

tion 4I of the leg 3 passes along the curve 55 through the cut-out portion It. The leg 3 then overlies the base of the seat I. The back 2 is then folded downwardly about the pin l2 as a center until it overlies the leg 3 in the position illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 1. Thereafter, with the latch 5 released from the leg 4 the leg 4 is folded about the pivot pins 25 as a center to lie on the opposite side of the seat I. At that time the latch5 is in the positionl illustrated in Figure 7, lying flat against the seat I, within' the cut-out portion 28 of the back leg Il. The portion 4I of the front leg 3 constitutes a handle for carrying It is to be noted that the center of gravity of the folded structure is app roximately directly below the handle 4I, hence the foldedstructure is easy to carry. It is further to be noted that the normal top of the back 2 and the bottom of the leg 4 constitute a three point support for supporting the folded structure. Theback leg 4iscut-out. at its bottom, as indicated at 49to. afford aspace for the latch 6 in its folded position, and provides two leg -portions50-50for helping to support the chair. Thus the ,two leg portions `50-50 andthe top 2I ofthe back 2 constitute a three point support for the folded structure. The folded structure isquite compact; with no parts of the chair projecting beyond the outer surface of the leg 4 or the outer surface of the back 2 as seen in Figure 8. This thus facilitates stacking of the folded chairs one upon' another in a minimum amount of space. The material cut out of the leg 4 at 49 and out ofthe back 2 at I6 and out ofthe `leg 4 at 28 is utilized for making thelatches 5 5, the brackets 8 9, the brackets 33-33 andthe hinges upon whichvthe'latches 5-6 are pivoted. It is thus apparent that in the chair of the present invention substantially all of the material is utilized with-a-minimum of waste.

When the chair is folded the projecting portions 58-58l of the back v.'Z'overlie the `projections 56 lof "the folded front leg 3,V as is'illustrated in Figure 9; Theseprojecting portions 58 thus hold the front leg 3 againstV being swung out of its folded 'position so long as ythe chair back 2 is in its folded position. When the chair is in the position illustrated inV Figure` 8, the back 2 hangs from: its pivot pins I2-I3. When the chair is carriedinits folded position, as by grasping the handle 4I ofthe front leg, that front leg is prevented from' swinging. about its pivot 36'because the lparts 56 of the front leg'are overlaid by the projections 58'of the chair back at points close to the pivot center I2-I 3 of the chair back. The overlying projections 58 of the chair backprevent the-assembled structure from swinging about the pivot 36 when/,the foldedlchair is lifted by graspingthe-handle 4I. It isforthisreason that the distance between projections 56--56 of the front leg 3 is greater thanthe distance between the projections 58-58 of the chair back. However, the distance between the projections 56'-5iv of the front leg must be less than the width of the'top ofthe opening I6 in the chair back in order to permit these projections to pass through the opening 16.-

In compliance with the requirements of the patent statutes I have here shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention. It is, howeveryto bev understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction here shown, thef same being merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. What I consider new and desire to secure by Letters Patent isz' 1. A folding chair comprising a seat, frontand a depending position to a folding position overlying the top and 'bottomvsurfacea respectively,

of the seat, a back rest 'pivoted to the seat and swingable to a position overlying thefolded po'-` sition of the front leg, thev distance from the front leg pivot to the bottom of the. front leg being greater than the distance from the front leg pivot tov4 the back rest pivot, the part of the front leg that extends beyond the' back rest pivot in the chair folded position havinga handle formed thereon.`

2. A folding chair comprising a seat, a front leg pivoted to the seat and swingable from its normal position to a `position overlying the top surface of the seat, a back rest pivoted to the seat and swlngable to a position overlying the leg when the leg overlies the seat, the length of the front legbeing 'greater than the distance from the center of the leg pivot tothe center of the back rest pivot, said back rest having a central opening through whichkv theleg passes to its chair` folding position, the partof the leg that extends through the opening having ahandleportion for carrying the folded chair.

3. A folding chair comprising a seat, a front leg pivoted to the sea't and swingable from its normal position to- `a 'position overlying the top surface of the seat, a back rest pivoted to the seat and swingable to a positionv overlying the leg when the leg overlies the iseat, the length Vof the front leg being greater'than the distance from the center of the leg pivot to the center'of the back rest pivot, saidback rest having a central opening through which theleg passes to its chair folding position, the part of the leg that extends through the opening having a handle vportion for carrying the folded chainthe back rest having a part which overlies the front leg infi'ts chairv folded position, said overlying part being adjacent the pivot axis of the back rest'to hold the front leg in its foldedpositin.

4.. A folding chair comprisinga seat,v front and rear legs pivoted'to the .seatands-wingable from their normal positions to a folding position overlying the top and bottom surface) respectively, of the seat. a back rest pivoted to the seat and swingable to a position overlying the front leg when that leg overlies the seat, the length ofthe front leg being greater than vthe distance' from the center cf the front leg pivot tothe center of the back rest pivot, saidback rest having a central opening through `which the r`front leg; passes to its chair folding position, the part 'of the front leg that extends through the opening having a handle portion for carryingthe folded chair, the lengths of the back rest and of the rear leg being such that upon positioning the seat of 1e folded chair between such supports'.

5. A folding chair compriis'nga seat, a vfront leg pivoted to the seat .andI swingable from its normal position to 'a' positionoverlying the top surface of the seat, aback rest pivoted to the seat and swingable to a position overlying the legl when the leg overlies the seat, the length 'of the front leg being greater lthan the distance from the center of the leg pivot to the center of the back rest pivot, said back rest having a central opening throughfwhich the leg-passes to itschair folding position,'the parto'f the leg that extends through the opening having a handle portion for carrying the folded chair, the backrest having a part which overlies the front Vleg in its chair folded position, said overlying part being adjacent the pivot axis of the back rest to hold the front leg in its folded position, a rear leg piv l oted to the seat and swingable to a position over' lying the bottom surface of the'chair seat, the lengths ofthe back rest and of the rear leg being such that upon positioning the seat of the folded chair vertically with the rear edge of the seat uppermost the back rest and the rear leg hang vertically and terminate below the seat and at the same level to constitute supports for the folded chair and withthe center of gravity of` the folded chair between such supports.

f l6. A folding chair comprising a seat, opposite side brackets rigidly secured to the seat at the rear thereof, a back rest pivoted to both brackets' above the seat and having a part bearing against the rear edge of the seat to limit the rearward pivoting of the back rest, a reary leg pivoted to foldable to a position overlying the vtop side of the seat and substantially parallel to the folded rear leg, the lengths of the back rest and of the rear leg being such that upon positioning the seat of the folded chair vertically with the brackets uppermost the back rest and the rear leg hang vertically and terminate below the seat and at the same level to constitute supports for the folded chair and with the center of gravityV of the folded chair lying between such supports.

`'7.' A folding chair comprising a seat, opposite side brackets rigidly secured to the seat at the rear thereof, a back rest pivoted to both brackets above'the seat and having a part bearing against the rear edge of the seat to limit the rearward pivoting of the back rest, a rear leg pivoted to both brackets below the seat and also having a part bearing against the rear edge of the seat to limit the rearward pivoting of the rear leg, a rear leg holding latch for releasably holding 1 the rear leg in the chair-unfolded position, the

rear leg being swingable to a folded position against the bottom side of the seat, the back rest being foldable to a position overlying the top of the folded chair lying between such supports,`

said chair having a front leg pivoted to the front part of the seat and occupying a folded position between the seat and the folded position ofthe back rest. l

8. A 'folding chair comprising a seat, opposite side brackets rigidly secured to the seat at the rear thereof, a back rest pivoted to both brackets' above thejseat and having a part bearing against the rear edge of the seatto limit the rearward pivoting ofjthe'back rest, a rear leg pivoted to b'oth brackets below the seat and also having a part bearing againstthe "rearedge ofthe seat to limit the rearward pivoting of the rear leg,

a rear legholding latchfor releasably holding -thei rear leginthechairunfolded position, the rear leg` beingfswingable to af'folded position' against the bottom side of the seat, the back rest beingv foldable to a position overlying the top sideof the seat andV substantially parallel to the folded rear leg, the vlengths of the. back rest and of the rear legl being such that upon positioning the seat of the'folded chair vertically with the bracketsup-` permost the back rest and the rear leg hang vertically and terminate below the seatv andfat the same level to constitute supportslfor the folded chair and With the center of gravityof the-folded chairlying between Such supports, said chair having a front leg pivoted tothe front part of the seat and occupying a folded position between the seat and the folded position of thefback rest, the front leg being of alength Sufficient to extend,

in its folded position, at least substantially to thepivot of the back rest, and the end of the fronty leg having a handle portion forv carrying the folded chair.

9. A folding chair comprising a seat, opposite' being swingable to a folded position against thebottom side of the seat, the back rest being foldableto a position overlying the top side of the seat and substantially parallel to the folded rear leg, the lengths of the back rest and of the rear leg being such that upon positioning the seat of the folded chair vertically with the brackets uppermost the back rest and the'rear leg hang Vertically and terminate belowA the seat and at the same level to constitute supports for the folded chair-and. with the center of gravity of the folded chair lyingbetween such supports, said chair having` a front leg pivoted to the, frontpart of the seat Aand occupying a folded position between the seat and the folded position of thebackv rest, the

front'leg being of a length sufcient to extend, in

itsfolded position, at least' substantiallyl to theV pivot of the back rest, and the end of `the front leg having a handle portion for carrying the folded chair, the back rest havinga central openingtherein through which the front leg passes as the front leg and back rest are pivoted to their folded positions. f

l0. A folding chair comprising a seat, oppositev side brackets rigidly secured to the'seat at'the rear thereof, a back restY pivoted to both brackets above the seat and having a part bearing againstl the rear edge of the seat to limit the rearward pivoting of the back rest, a rearleg pivotedto both lbracketsbelowl the seat and also vhaving-a part 'bearing against the rear edge of the seat to limit therearward pivotingof the rearvleg, a

rear leg holding latch for releasably holding thel rear leg in the chair-unfolded position, the rear leg being swingable to a folded position against the bottom side of the seat, the back rest being foldable to a position overlying the top side of the seat and substantially parallel to the folded rear leg, the lengths of the back rest and of the rear leg Abeing such that upon positioning the seat of the folded chairvertically with the brackets uppermost thev back rest and thevrear leghang vertically and termlnatefbelow, the seat and'at the same Vlevel lto constitute supports for the 'folded chair 'and with the'centerof gravity of the-foldedv chair lying between such supports, said chair hav.`

ing a front leg pivoted to the front part ofthe seat,

and occupyng'afolded position between the., seat and the folded position ofy the back rest, the back rest having a` central opening therein through which the front'leg kpasses asthe front leg and backrest are pivoted toV their-foldedpositions- 11.*A folding chair comprising a seat, opposite side brackets rigidly secured to the seatat the rear thereof,4 a backrest-pivoted to bothbrackets above the seat and having a part bearing against the rear edge ofthe seat to limit the rearward pivoting of the back rest; a rear leg'pivoted to both brackets below the seat and also havingV a part bearing against the rear edge ofthe seat to limitthe rearward pivoting of the/rear leg, a rear leg' holding latchfor releasably holding the rear leg in thefchair-unfolded position, the rear leg being` swingable to a foldedposition against the bottom side of the seat, the backrest beingV foldable toV a position overlying the `top side lof the seat and substantially parallel to the.folded rear leg; the lengths of the back rest and ofthe rear leg being such that upon positioningthe'seat of the folded chair vertically with/.the brackets uppermost the backrest and the rear leghang vertically and terminate belowthezseat and :at the same level to constitute supports for the foldedchair and with the center of gravity ofthe folded chair lying betweensuch supports, said chair having a front leg pivoted to the front part of the seat and occupying a folded position betweenv theseat and the folded position of the back rest, the back rest having a central opening-therein through which the front leg passes as the front leg and back rest are pivoted kto their folded positions, andthe back rest havinga projecting part at the opening and adjacent the pivot axis of the back rest, said: projecting part overlying the front leg andholding the front leg in its folded position.

12. A foldingchair comprising'a seat. opposite side brackets vrigidly secured to the seat at the rear thereof, a back rest pivoted to both brackets above the seat and having a-part bearing against the rear edge of the seat to Alimit the rearward pivoting of thebackrest, a rear leg pivoted to both bracketsy belowthe seat and also having a part bearing against -the rear edge of the seat to limit the rearward pivoting of the rear leg, a rear leg holding latch for releasably holding the rear leg in the chair-unfolded position, the rear leg being swingable to a folded position against the-bottom side of the seat, the back rest being foldable toa position overlying the top side of theseat and substantially parallel to the folded rear leg, the lengths of the back rest and of the rear legl being such-that upon positioning the seat of the folded chairvertically with the brackets uppermost the back rest and the rear leg hang vertically and terminate below the seat and at the same level to constitute supports for the folded chair and with `the center of gravity of the folded chair lying between Vsuch supports,- said chair having a-front-leg pivoted to the frontpart of .the seat and occupying-a folded position between the seat and the folded position of the backrest, the front, leg being of a length suia cient to extend, in its folded position,`at least Substantially tothe pivot of the back resa-and the end of the front leg having a handle portion for carrying`V the folded chair, the-back rest having a central opening thereinthrough which the frontv leg passes as the front leg and back rest are pivotedto their folded positions, andV the back rest having a projecting part at the openingandadjacent the pivotaxis of the back rest, said projecting part overlying the front leg and holding the front leg in its folded position.

13. A folding chair comprising a seat, opposite side brackets rigidly secured to the seat at-the rear thereof, a back rest pivoted to both brackets above the seat and having a part; bearing against the rear edge ofthel seat to limit the rearward pivoting of the back rest, a rear leg pivoted to both brackets below the seat and also having a part bearing against the rear edge of the seat to limit the rearward pivoting of the rear leg, a rear leg holding latch for releasably holding the rear leg inthe chair-unfolded position, the rear leg being swingable to a folded position against the bottom side of the seat, the back rest being foldable to a position overlying the top side of the seat and substantially parallel to the folded rear leg, the lengths of the back rest and of the rear leg being such that upon positioning the seat of the folded chair vertically with the brackets uppermost the back rest and the rear leg hang vertically and terminate below the seat and at the same level to constitute supports for the folded chair and with the center of gravity of the folded chair lying between such supports, said chair having a front leg pivoted to the front part of the seat and occupying a folded position between the seat and the folded position of the back rest, the front leg being of a length sulficient to extend, in its folded position, at least substantially to the pivot of the back rest, and the end of the front leg having a handle portion for carrying the folded chair, the folded chair being free of projections extendin-g outwardly of the back and free of projections extending outwardly of the rear leg, and the back and rear leg being substantially parallel to one another in their chair-folded positions to facilitate stacking of such folded chairs one upon another.

14. A folding chair comprising a seat, opposite side brackets rigidly secured to the seat at the rear thereof, a back rest pivoted to both brackets above the seat and having a part bearing against the rear edge of the seat to limit the rearward pivoting of the back rest, a rear leg pivoted to both brackets -below the seat and also having a part bearing against the rear edge of the seat to limit the rearward pivoting of the rear leg, a rear leg holding latch for releasably holding the rear leg in the chair-unfolded position, the rear leg being swingable to a folded position against the bottom side of the seat, the back rest being foldable to a position overlying the top side of the seat and substantially parallel to the folded rear leg, the lengths of the back rest and of the rear leg being such that upon positioning the seat of the folded chair vertically with the brackets uppermost the back rest and the rear leg hang vertically and terminate below the seat and at the same level to constitute supports for the folded chair and with the center of gravity of the folded chair lying between such supports, said chair having a front leg pivoted to the front part of the seat and occupying a folded position between the seat and the folded position of the back rest, the back rest having a central opening therein through which the front leg passes as the front leg and back rest are pivoted to their folded positions, and the back rest having a projecting part at the opening and adjacent the pivot axis of the back rest, said projecting part overlying the front leg and holdingv the front leg in itsfolded position, the folded chair being'free of projections extending outwardly of the'back and free of projections extending outwardly of the rear leg, and the back and rear legbeing substantially parallel to one another in their chair-folded positions to facilitate stacking .of such `folded. chairs one upon another. f 1 l V 15. A folding chair comprising a seat, opposite side brackets rigidly secured to the seat at the rear thereof, aback restpivoted to both brackets above the seat and having Va part bearing against the rear edge of the` seat to limit the rearward pivoting of the back rest, a. rear leg pivoted to both brackets below the seat and also having a part bearing against the rear edge of the seat to limit the rearward pivoting of the rear leg, a rear leg holding latch for releasably holding the rear leg in the chair-unfolded position, the rear leg being swingable to a folded position against the bottom side of the seat, the back rest being foldable to aposition overlying the top side of the seat and substantially parallel to the folded rear leg, the lengths of the back rest and of the rear leg being such that upon positioning the seat of the folded chair vertically with the brackets uppermost the back rest and the rear leg hang vertically and terminate below the seat and at the same level to constitute supports for the folded chair and with the center of gravity of the folded chair lying between such supports, said chair having a front leg pivoted to the front part oi' the seat and occupying a folded position between the seat and the folded position of the back rest, the front leg being of a length sufficient to extend, in its folded position, at least substantially to the pivot of the back rest, and the end of the front leg having a handle portion for carrying the folded chair, the back rest having a central opening therein through which the front leg passes as the front leg and back rest are pivoted to their folded positions, and the back rest having a projecting part at the opening and adjacent the pivot axis of the back rest, said projecting partI overlying the front leg and holding the front leg in its folded position, the folded chair being free of projections extending outwardly of the back and free of projections extending outwardly of the rear leg, and the back and rear leg being substantially parallel to one another in their chair-folded positions to facilitate stacking of such folded chairs one upon another, the rear leg having a cut out portion constituting a recess in which the latch is located when the chair is folded.

16. A folding chair comprising a seat, front and rear legs pivoted to the seat and swingable from a depending position to a folding position overlying the top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the seat, a back rest pivoted to the seat and swingable to a position overlying the folded position of the frontl leg, the distance from the front leg pivot to the bottom of the front leg being greater than the distance from the front leg pivot to the back rest pivot.

17. A folding chair comprising a seat, a pivoted back rest, a pivoted rear leg, means for releasably holding the rear leg in the chair-unfolded position, the rear leg being swingable to the folded position against the bottom side of the seat, the back rest being foldable to a position overlying the top side of the seat and substantially parallel to the folded rear leg, the lengths of the back rest and of the rear leg being such that upon positioning the seat of the folded chair vertically withthe back edge of. the seat uppermost the back rest and therear leg hang vertically `and terminate `below the seatand at the same level to constitute supportsfor thefolded ed position, the rearleg being swingable to the folded position Aagainstthe:bottom side of vthe seat, the back rest `being foldable to a yposition overlyingthetop side ofV the seat and Ysubstantially parallel to the folded rear leg, the lengths of the back rest and of the rear leg beingsuch that upon positioning the seat-of the folded 'chair vertically with the back edge of the seatuppermost the back rest and the rear leg hang vertically and terminate below the seat and atthe same level to constitute supports for the folded chair and with the center ofk gravity of the folded chair lying between such supports, said chair having a front leg pivoted. to the front part of the seat and foldable to a position between the seat and the folded position of the back rest.

LESLIE H. BURLIN. 

